When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. ~ Galatians 2:12 How would the history of Christianity be different if Paul had not stood up to Peter’s shameful concession? How can you tell when to give in to a weaker brother and when to stand up to him? Why is racism—especially within the church—such a horrific thing? Segregating ourselves along ethnic and social lines is a common human practice. We’re simply more comfortable around “our kind” of people, and we tend to keep our distance from those who seem different from us…. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said that 11 o’clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America. He meant that white Christians and black Christians often worship in separate churches. Recently I’ve noticed a new kind of Sunday morning segregation. It’s increasingly common for churches to divide according to worship style, holding traditional services for older folks who love organ-powered hymns and contemporary services for younger people who enjoy choruses led by praise bands. Churches do this because it works. Many grow exponentially as they meet the felt needs of their worshipers. But something about this practice doesn’t feel right. Shouldn’t Spirit-filled Christians be worshiping together? Your style might not be my preference, but why can’t we appreciate our differences and sing each other’s music? In 1857, a few white members of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in South Africa asked permission to celebrate the Lord’s Supper separately from their black brothers and sisters. The General Assembly believed their request was wrong, but acquiesced “due to the weakness of some.” This concession soon became the norm. And this racism prompted the unwanted black Christians to leave and start their own churches. So the South African church, divided by race, eventually became a vocal supporter of apartheid. In 1924, the DRC argued that the races must remain separate, for “competition between black and white on economic levels . . . leads to poverty, friction, misunderstanding, suspicion, and bitterness.” How might the history of South Africa be different if the church had not conceded to the sinful request of a few “weaker brothers”? It’s never right to do wrong because others think it’s right. We must not violate our conscience on the flimsy ground that “They wouldn’t understand,” “It’s what they expect,” or “Just this once, what will it hurt?” It may seem easier to give in, but our concession will make life harder down the road. ~ MW-JO
Posted on: Sat, 05 Oct 2013 13:01:53 +0000
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